Twenty-two wickets fell on the first day, 21 of them to the spinners. Twenty-two catches were taken, yet only one by a wicketkeeper. And at the end of an extraordinary opening day in Mombasa, Ireland held a slender advantage in their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya.

Ireland collapsed for 75 after choosing to bat, falling to the left-arm spin of Hiren Varaiya, who took career-best figures of 6 for 22. Varaiya was well supported by fellow lert-arm spinner Shem Ngoche, who took 3 for 11. Nehemiah Odhiambo had taken the first wicket, that of Paul Stirling, and that was the only success a fast bowler had on the day. Ed Joyce top scored for Ireland with 26, and among the others only William Porterfield and Gary Wilson made it to double figures. Kenya had been in the field for only 33.5 overs.

Ireland, however, were not about to let Kenya walk away with a healthy lead. The home team's openers added only 24 before Ireland's spinners, Albert van der Merwe and George Dockrell, began to strike. Six wickets fell for 15 runs, and the seventh for the addition of another 11. At 50 for 7, Kenya were in danger of being in the deficit but were dragged past Ireland's 75 by Ragheb Aga, who was the last man out for 46. Kenya were dismissed for 109, with the offspinner van der Merwe taking 5 for 41 and the left-arm spinner Dockrell taking 5 for 37. Both of them achieved career-best figures as well.

Joyce and Stirling were more solid in their second attempt and they wiped out the deficit of 34, effectively reducing the contest to a one-innings shootout. Ireland's opening partnership was worth 63, when Ngoche had Stirling caught and bowled. Porterfield was dismissed for a duck a couple of overs later, by Variaya, with Ireland only 34 ahead. Joyce, however, scored briskly, ending the day unbeaten on 51 off 56 balls, leading his team to 81 for 2.

@tatactg Ireland hasn't played a game in six months were allowed to be rusty. @Omar, Ireland isn't England and we don't blame suspect bowling actions like them so don't put Ireland in the same boat.

Ireland is a country who plays goo, fair and competitive cricket. A team full of players who will give 199% commitment everytime they play. Tatactg I've no idea where your from but every side is able to be skittled over, were Sri Lanka not knocked over by South Africa for 43 runs?, did Pakistan not get knocked over by England for 99. Overall Ireland performs and is getting more consistent. I don't understand why you feel the need to mock us...

Michael
on February 13, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Keyna can win it! Yaraiya and Odihiambo can bring Kenya home!
Kenya need 26 with 1 batter left in the shed, Kenya were 8 for 36 with 119 to get but they need 26 Big come back here.

Sayed
on February 13, 2012, 5:05 GMT

come on kenya , rout the irish

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 4:11 GMT

Great match. COme on Kenya, fight back and make this interesting match more interesting

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 3:25 GMT

Ireland... they live right next door to England... OH GOD! BRACE YOURSELF FOR ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT SUSPECT BOWLING ACTIONS!

reazul
on February 13, 2012, 2:49 GMT

Yes give Ire test status in place of Zim/Bang - the popular demand these days here in cricinfo.Bowled out for 75 against Kenyan sla's - it will be interesting how they will compete against quality Zim/Bang sla's .

Girik
on February 13, 2012, 0:27 GMT

Is there something in the pitch or was it just poor batting from both sides?

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 19:29 GMT

seems like the "teesra" is working here too.....

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 18:26 GMT

Come on Joyce, big score from you tomorrow and some good contributions from Cusy, Kevin, White, Wilson, Mooney and the bowlers and get the lead to 300...

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 19:12 GMT

@tatactg Ireland hasn't played a game in six months were allowed to be rusty. @Omar, Ireland isn't England and we don't blame suspect bowling actions like them so don't put Ireland in the same boat.

Ireland is a country who plays goo, fair and competitive cricket. A team full of players who will give 199% commitment everytime they play. Tatactg I've no idea where your from but every side is able to be skittled over, were Sri Lanka not knocked over by South Africa for 43 runs?, did Pakistan not get knocked over by England for 99. Overall Ireland performs and is getting more consistent. I don't understand why you feel the need to mock us...

Michael
on February 13, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Keyna can win it! Yaraiya and Odihiambo can bring Kenya home!
Kenya need 26 with 1 batter left in the shed, Kenya were 8 for 36 with 119 to get but they need 26 Big come back here.

Sayed
on February 13, 2012, 5:05 GMT

come on kenya , rout the irish

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 4:11 GMT

Great match. COme on Kenya, fight back and make this interesting match more interesting

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 3:25 GMT

Ireland... they live right next door to England... OH GOD! BRACE YOURSELF FOR ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT SUSPECT BOWLING ACTIONS!

reazul
on February 13, 2012, 2:49 GMT

Yes give Ire test status in place of Zim/Bang - the popular demand these days here in cricinfo.Bowled out for 75 against Kenyan sla's - it will be interesting how they will compete against quality Zim/Bang sla's .

Girik
on February 13, 2012, 0:27 GMT

Is there something in the pitch or was it just poor batting from both sides?

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 19:29 GMT

seems like the "teesra" is working here too.....

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 18:26 GMT

Come on Joyce, big score from you tomorrow and some good contributions from Cusy, Kevin, White, Wilson, Mooney and the bowlers and get the lead to 300...

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 18:26 GMT

Come on Joyce, big score from you tomorrow and some good contributions from Cusy, Kevin, White, Wilson, Mooney and the bowlers and get the lead to 300...

Dummy4
on February 12, 2012, 19:29 GMT

seems like the "teesra" is working here too.....

Girik
on February 13, 2012, 0:27 GMT

Is there something in the pitch or was it just poor batting from both sides?

reazul
on February 13, 2012, 2:49 GMT

Yes give Ire test status in place of Zim/Bang - the popular demand these days here in cricinfo.Bowled out for 75 against Kenyan sla's - it will be interesting how they will compete against quality Zim/Bang sla's .

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 3:25 GMT

Ireland... they live right next door to England... OH GOD! BRACE YOURSELF FOR ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT SUSPECT BOWLING ACTIONS!

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 4:11 GMT

Great match. COme on Kenya, fight back and make this interesting match more interesting

Sayed
on February 13, 2012, 5:05 GMT

come on kenya , rout the irish

Michael
on February 13, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Keyna can win it! Yaraiya and Odihiambo can bring Kenya home!
Kenya need 26 with 1 batter left in the shed, Kenya were 8 for 36 with 119 to get but they need 26 Big come back here.

Dummy4
on February 13, 2012, 19:12 GMT

@tatactg Ireland hasn't played a game in six months were allowed to be rusty. @Omar, Ireland isn't England and we don't blame suspect bowling actions like them so don't put Ireland in the same boat.

Ireland is a country who plays goo, fair and competitive cricket. A team full of players who will give 199% commitment everytime they play. Tatactg I've no idea where your from but every side is able to be skittled over, were Sri Lanka not knocked over by South Africa for 43 runs?, did Pakistan not get knocked over by England for 99. Overall Ireland performs and is getting more consistent. I don't understand why you feel the need to mock us...

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